Summertime means lots of outdoor fun. When you are on the go, it can be easy to forget that kids need nutritious food too. These healthy snacks for children will keep your little ones happy and full while giving them nutritious food that can help them build strong teeth.
Fruit Juice Smoothies
Kids love fruit juice smoothies because they’re sweet and delicious. They also provide vitamins and minerals that help build strong bones and muscles. However, some people worry that fruit juices contain high amounts of sugar. Fruit juice has less than half as much sugar as soda. So, when making a fruit juice smoothie, choose 100% pure fruit juice instead of adding sugary ingredients. And you can add some water to cut down on the sugar content.
Watermelon Ice Cubes
If you’re looking for an easy way to make a refreshing drink, try watermelon ice cubes. Cut up a whole watermelon into small pieces and freeze them overnight. Then, add water and ice to make a refreshing drink. You can use the cubes in any beverage, such as lemonade, iced tea, or even cocktails.
Frozen Yogurt Popsicles or Yogurt Fruit Parfaits
Yogurt contains calcium and protein, which help strengthen tooth enamel and protect against cavities. Yogurt also helps boost gum health. A Japanese study of 1,000 adults revealed that those who ate yogurt had the healthiest gums. The good bacteria found in yogurt help slow the growth of cavity-causing bacteria.
Frozen yogurt popsicles are great treats made by mixing plain yogurt with fruit juice concentrate and freezing them. They’re a healthier alternative to traditional popsicles because they contain no artificial colors or flavors.
If you don’t have time to wait to freeze your yogurt popsicles, you can quickly whip up some yogurt sweetened with fruit juice and make a parfait with the kid’s favorite fruit. Make sure to read the labels of the yogurt you buy and avoid yogurts high in sugar.
Frozen Grapes
Frozen grapes are a super easy summer snack! Just rinse your grapes and pop them in the freezer. It takes about 4 hours for the grapes to freeze.
Guacamole with Veggies
Raw vegetables like carrots, celery, and bell pepper are excellent dipping alternatives to unhealthy chips and crackers. Starchy carbs like potato chips and crackers can stick to your teeth and cause harmful acid buildup, leading to cavities.
Fibrous vegetables like celery can clean your teeth as you eat. So, choose vegetables instead of chips. They are better for your overall health and won’t stick to your teeth like starchy carbs typically used as dippers.
Hit the Trail with Your Kid’s Favorite Trail Mix
Nuts and seeds, particularly almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, and sunflower seeds, are packed with healthy nutrients that can help your children grow strong teeth. Peanuts are a good source of calcium and Vit D. Cashews are known to stimulate saliva. Walnuts contain fiber and essential vitamins and minerals. You can buy your kid’s favorite trail mix or mix up your own batch using their favorite nuts and treats. You can also use different nut butters to make healthy snacks such as traditional celery and peanut butter.
Final Words
We hope we have given you some ideas on serving healthy treats for your kids this summer. It is a lot easier to steer kids away from unhealthy snacks if you make healthy snacks fun for your kids. And if you run out of ideas, many websites are sharing their kid-friendly healthy snacks.
We look forward to seeing you and your family in our office. Please feel free to contact us today to make an appointment or if you have any questions about your child’s dental needs.
Sincerely,
Dr. R. Bruce Howell
Orem Pediatric Dentistry
